Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for tissue paper comprising a housing is provided. The housing includes a first seat for a first roll or a first stack of tissue paper and a second seat for a second roll or a second stack of tissue paper. The housing is provided with a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position, from which tissue paper is graspable for dispensing thereof. The dispenser includes a blocking arrangement for selectively blocking either the first dispensing position or the second dispensing position. The dispenser includes a sensor device arranged to sense at least one position of the blocking arrangement, wherein the sensor device is connected to a control unit arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser based on the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application is a §371 National Stage Application of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/SE2012/051444 filed Dec. 20, 2012,which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a dispenser for tissue paper.

BACKGROUND

A dispenser for tissue paper may typically be arranged in a washroom.The tissue paper may be provided in rolls of tissue paper or in stacksof tissue paper. A dispenser arranged in a public or commercial facilitywhich is highly frequented may be provided with a large reserve oftissue paper. For instance, the tissue paper may be provided from twoseats, or positions, inside the dispenser.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,245 discloses a dispenser for selectively dispensingfirst and second rolls of sheet material respectively wrapped aroundfirst and second cores. The dispenser includes a housing defining astorage compartment for the first and second rolls and an opening, afirst and second core support structures disposed in the housing forrespectively supporting differently sized first and second cores and adivider slidably carried by the housing and covering a portion of theopening. The divider is movable between a first dispensing position,wherein a first portion of the opening is uncovered to allow access tothe first roll and a second portion of the opening is covered to preventaccess to the second roll, and a second position, wherein the firstportion of the opening is covered and the second portion the opening isuncovered to allow access to the second roll. The divider includes anadjustable blocking plate for preventing movement of the divider fromthe first dispensing position to the second dispensing portion untilsubstantially all the sheet material has been exhausted from the firstroll.

A dispenser for tissue paper has to be replenished more or lessregularly. An indication of a tissue paper filling state of a dispensermay facilitate the work of service personnel responsible forreplenishing the dispenser with tissue paper.

WO 2005/065509 discloses a system and method for measuring, monitoringand controlling washroom dispensers and products. An apparatus for thedispensing of product is provided. The apparatus includes a dispensersensor unit. The dispenser sensor unit is configured for detectinginformation about the product and for varying a dispensing parameter ofthe dispenser. A data communications unit in communication with thedispenser sensor unit is provided and is configured for receivinginformation from the dispenser sensor unit. A washroom monitoringstation in communication with the data communications unit may bepresent and may be configured for receiving information from the datacommunications unit. The dispenser sensor unit may be configured forreceiving a communication so as to vary a dispensing parameter of thedispenser.

WO 2012/034590 SCA discloses a solution for detecting a level of aconsumable tissue product in a tissue dispenser located in a washroom.This is provided in a number of aspects such as a tissue dispenser, amethod, system, and a sensor unit utilizing two sensor elements eacharranged to measure light reflected from a reflection field located onthe tissue product itself, and arranged to measure absence of the tissueproduct. Data from the sensor elements are wirelessly transmitted to aserver for further handling, such as for instance notification to ajanitor in charge of service of the washroom.

A dispenser including two seats, or positions, from which tissue papermay be dispensed may be provided with a blocking arrangement. Theblocking arrangement blocks access to one of the two seats such thatdispensing of tissue paper takes place from only one of the seats untilthat particular seat is empty. Only then the blocking arrangement may bemanipulated to provide access to the other seat for dispensing tissuepaper therefrom.

SUMMARY

It is desired to provide a dispenser for tissue paper with analternative arrangement for assisting service personnel in replenishingthe dispenser.

According to an aspect, a dispenser for tissue paper comprising ahousing provides an alternative arrangement for assisting servicepersonnel in replenishing the dispenser. In the aspect, the housingincludes a first seat for a first roll or a first stack of tissue paperand a second seat for a second roll or a second stack of tissue paper.The housing is provided with a first dispensing position and a seconddispensing position, from which first and second dispensing positionstissue paper is graspable for dispensing thereof. The dispenser includesa blocking arrangement for selectively blocking either the firstdispensing position or the second dispensing position. The dispenserincludes a sensor device arranged to sense at least one position of theblocking arrangement. The sensor device is connected to a control unitarranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser basedon the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement.

Since the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement isutilized by the control unit to indicate a tissue paper filling state ofthe dispenser, service personnel are able to utilize the tissue paperfilling state as a basis for planning replenishing of the dispenser withtissue paper.

The dispenser may be adapted to be arranged in a washroom. The dispensermay be arranged to be attached to a structure such as a wall or a door.The housing may include one compartment, inside which the first andsecond seats are provided. Alternatively, the dispenser may include twocompartments, one for each of the first and second seats. The term“seat” is herein to be interpreted as any structure or arrangementsuitable for supporting a roll of tissue paper or a stack of tissuepaper. An example of a seat for a roll of tissue paper is a peg, whichfits into a core of the roll and about which the roll may pivot. Anexample of a seat for a stack of tissue paper is a frame provided with adispensing opening. The frame is sized such that the stack abuts againstthe frame around the dispensing opening. The term “dispensing position”is intended to define a portion of the housing from which a user isintended to dispense tissue paper. Accordingly, the blocking arrangementprevents dispensing of tissue paper from either the first dispensingposition or the second dispensing position. For each dispensing positionthere may be provided a separate dispensing opening. Alternatively,there may be provided one dispensing opening for both dispensingpositions.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may include a movablelid arranged to be positioned in a first blocking position and in asecond blocking position, wherein in the first blocking position themovable lid prevents access to the first dispensing position and permitsaccess the second dispensing position, and wherein in the secondblocking position the movable lid prevents access to the seconddispensing position and provides access to the first dispensingposition. The lid may be arranged to slide between the first and secondblocking positions.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may prevent themovable lid from being moved from the first blocking position to thesecond blocking position unless the second seat is substantially empty.In this manner, it may be ensured that the movable lid is only movableto the second blocking position when the second seat is empty, i.e. alltissue paper in the second seat has been used. Thus, the second seat isemptied before access is provided to the first seat for dispensingtissue paper therefrom. Replenishing of the dispenser may thus beperformed of a completely empty second seat.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may prevent themovable lid from being moved from the second blocking position to thefirst blocking position unless the first seat is substantially empty. Inthis manner, it may be ensured that the movable lid is only movable tothe first blocking position when the first seat is empty, i.e. alltissue paper in the first seat has been used. Thus, the first seat isemptied before access is provided to the second seat for dispensingtissue paper therefrom. Replenishing of the dispenser may thus beperformed of a completely empty first seat.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may include a levermechanism adapted to bear against rolls or stacks of tissue paperarranged in the first and second seats. The lever mechanism may bearranged to engage and release the movable lid. Thus, a level of tissuepaper in the first and/or second seats may affect the movable lid andits movability between the first and second blocking positions.

According to embodiments, the lever mechanism may include a firstlinkage arranged to bear against the first roll or stack of tissue paperand a second linkage arranged to bear against the second roll or stackof tissue paper. In this manner a level of tissue paper in the firstseat and the second seat may be detected.

According to embodiments, the at least one position of the blockingarrangement sensed by the sensor device may relate to one position ofthe lever mechanism.

According to embodiments, the at least one position of the blockingarrangement sensed by the sensor device may relate to one position ofthe movable lid.

According to embodiments, the dispenser may include a sensing unitarranged to acknowledge replenishing of the dispenser with tissue paper.In this manner, a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser may bereset to a state representing filled first and second seats. The sensingunit may be connected to the control unit.

According to embodiments, the sensor device may include an opticalsensor device.

According to embodiments, the optical sensor device may include a lightsource and a photosensitive element. Several alternative operations ofthe optical sensor and the control unit are envisaged. Depending on howthe optical sensor is arranged in relation to the blocking arrangement,either light sensed by the optical sensor indicates a filled seat andabsence of light indicates an empty seat, or light sensed by the opticalsensor indicates an empty seat and absence of light indicates a filledseat. Alternatively, difference in light sensed by the optical sensorindicates a filled or an empty seat. A change in intensity of light fromthe light source received by the photosensitive element indicates that aseat has been emptied, either an increase in light intensity or adecrease in light intensity.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may include a lightreflecting surface arranged to reflect light from the light sourcetowards the photosensitive element. In this manner, reliability of thesensor device may be ensured by the light being reflected from the lightsource towards the photosensitive element.

According to embodiments, the sensor device and at least part of theblocking arrangement may be arranged in an enclosure separate from thefirst and second seats. In this manner, the sensor device may beprotected from damage, e.g. when the dispenser is replenished. Moreover,if the sensor device is an optical sensor device, the sensor device isnot accidentally affected by light nor related to the sensor.

According to embodiments, the sensor device may be arranged to sense atleast two positions of the blocking arrangement, and the control unitmay be arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of thedispenser based on the sensed at least two positions of the blockingarrangement.

According to embodiments, the control unit may be arranged to indicate afirst tissue paper filling state indicating either an empty first seator an empty second seat, and a second tissue paper filling stateindicating empty first and second seats.

According to embodiments, the control unit may be arranged to indicate athird tissue paper filling state indicating at least partially filledfirst and second seats.

The control unit may be arranged to indicate a fourth tissue paperfilling state indicating filled first and second seats.

According to embodiments, the control unit may be arranged separate fromthe dispenser and the sensor device may be arranged to communicate withthe control unit. For instance, the sensor device may communicatewirelessly with the control unit.

According to embodiments, the control unit may be arranged in thedispenser. In this manner, a tissue paper filling state of the dispensermay be indicated directly on the dispenser, e.g. by one or more lightsources indicating different tissue paper filling states.

According to embodiments, the control unit may communicate with, or mayform part of, a data collection system configured for communicatingtissue paper filling states of the dispenser to an operator. In thismanner, the operator may be informed of tissue paper filling states ofthe dispenser. The data collection system configured for communicatingtissue paper filling states may for instance include a visual indicationof a relevant tissue paper filling state of the dispenser. The datacollection system may be provided on the dispenser itself or remote fromthe dispenser. In these embodiments, the data collection system need notnecessarily have any data storage capacity. The data collection systemmay only have the possibility to indicate a current tissue paper fillingstate of the dispenser.

According to embodiments, the data collection system may be configuredto store data for communicating tissue paper filling states of thedispenser to an operator. In this manner, the operator may be informedof tissue paper filling states of the dispenser in a location remotefrom the dispenser, e.g. via message from the data collection system toa handheld device used by the operator. The operator may for instanceupon demand retrieve the tissue paper filling state of the dispenser.The data collection system configured to store data may for instance bea data server.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention willbecome apparent when studying the appended claims and the followingdetailed description. Those skilled in the art will realize thatdifferent features of the present invention may be combined to createembodiments other than those described in the following, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention, as defined by theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the invention, including its particular featuresand advantages, will be readily understood from the following detaileddescription and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser for tissue paper according toembodiments,

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a sensor device and a portion of thedispenser illustrated in FIG. 1, and

FIGS. 3 and 4 each illustrates a dispenser for tissue paper according todifferent embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments areshown. However, this invention should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Disclosed features of example embodimentsmay be combined as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this invention belongs. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarilybe described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser 2 for tissue paper according to anembodiment of the invention. The dispenser 2 includes a housing 4. Thehousing 4 includes a first seat 6 for a first roll 8 of tissue paper anda second seat 10 for a second roll 11 of tissue paper. The housing 4 isprovided with a first dispensing position 12 and a second dispensingposition 14. A user may grasp tissue paper from the first and seconddispensing positions 12, 14 for dispensing tissue paper.

The dispenser 2 includes a blocking arrangement 16 for selectivelyblocking either the first dispensing position 12 or the seconddispensing position 14. The blocking arrangement 16 includes a movablelid 18 arranged to be positioned in a first blocking position and in asecond blocking position. In the first blocking position, the movablelid 18 prevents access to the first dispensing position 12 and permitsaccess to the second dispensing position 14. In the second blockingposition, the movable lid 18 prevents access to the second dispensingposition 14 and provides access to the first dispensing position 12. InFIG. 1, the movable lid 18 is illustrated in the first blockingposition. The movable lid 18 is slidably attached to the housing 4 forsliding between the first and second blocking positions. The blockingarrangement 16 is arranged to prevent the movable lid 18 from beingmoved from the first blocking position to the second blocking positionunless the second seat 11 is substantially empty. That is, whensubstantially all tissue paper has been dispensed from the second roll11 of tissue paper the movable lid 18 may be moved to the secondblocking position. Conversely, should the movable lid 18 be in thesecond blocking position then the blocking arrangement 16 prevents themovable lid 18 from being moved from the second blocking position to thefirst blocking position unless the first seat is substantially empty.

The blocking arrangement 16 includes a lever mechanism 20 adapted tobear against the first and second rolls 8, 11 of tissue paper. The levermechanism 20 of the blocking arrangement 16 is arranged to engage andrelease the movable lid 18. Thus, when engaged, the movable lid 18 isprevented from being moved from the first blocking position to thesecond blocking position, or vice versa. Conversely, when released, themovable lid 18 may be moved from the first blocking position to thesecond blocking position, or vice versa.

The lever mechanism 20 includes a first linkage 22 arranged to bearagainst the first roll 8 and a second linkage 24 arranged to bearagainst the second roll 11. The first and second linkages 22, 24 areidentical. In the following, the function of the first and secondlinkages will be discussed, primarily with reference to the secondlinkage 24. The second linkage 24 includes a first arm 26 arranged tobear against the second roll 11 of tissue paper. The first arm 26 ispivotably and slidably connected to the housing 4 at a pivot point 27.The second linkage 24 further includes a second arm 28. The second arm28 is connected to the first arm 26 at a first end portion 30 of thefirst arm 26 and is arranged to engage with the movable lid 18 at asecond end portion 32 of the second arm 28. The second end portion 28engages with the movable lid 18 by the second arm 28 being immovable ina direction along the movable lid 18 and its sliding direction 33. Thus,a straight edge 35 of the second end 32 abutting against a straightedged recess 37 of the movable lid 18 prevents the movable lid 18 frombeing moved to the second blocking position.

The second arm 28 is slidably connected to the housing 4. The second arm28 is slidable along a longitudinal direction of the second arm 28,substantially perpendicularly to the sliding direction 33 of the movablelid 18. The connection between the second arm 28 and the first arm 26 atthe first end portion 30 is a sliding connection. For instance, thefirst end portion 30 may be provided with a pin 34 and the first arm 26may be provided with a slot 36 such that the pin 34, arranged in theslot 36, may slide along the slot 36.

As tissue paper is dispensed from the second roll 11, the first arm 26bearing against the second roll 11 is displaced by the diameter of thesecond roll 11 decreasing. During the displacing, the first arm 26pivots and slides in relation to the housing 4 at the pivot point 27. Asthe first arm 26 is displaced in this manner, the first arm 26 slideswith its slot 36 along the pin 34 from a first slot end 38 to a secondslot end 40. The second arm 28 thus, remains immovable until the pin 34reaches the second slot end 40. The length of the slot 36 is adapted tothe diameter of the second roll 11. Thus, when substantially all tissuepaper has been dispensed from the second roll 11, the second slot end 40reaches the pin 34. Upon a further decrease of the diameter of thesecond roll 11, the first arm 26 engages with the pin 34 in the slot 36and slides the second arm 28 away from the movable lid 18. The movablelid 18 is thus released from the engagement with the second arm 28 andmay be moved to the second blocking position to provide access to thefirst dispensing position 12.

Since in the illustrated example a first roll 8 of tissue paper isprovided in the first seat 6, a corresponding second arm 28′ of thefirst linkage 22 is in a position to engage with the movable lid 18.However, the second arms 28, 28′ are each provided with a slanted edge42, 42′ opposite to the straight edge 35, 35′. Thus, as the movable lid18 being moved to the second blocking position pushes against theslanted edge 42′, the second arm 28′ slides away from the lid 18 in adirect substantially perpendicularly to the sliding direct 33 of the lid18. When the movable lid 18 has reached the second blocking position,the straight edge 35′ of the second arm 28′ of the first linkage 22engages with a straight edged recess 37′ at an opposite end of themovable lid 18.

The dispenser 2 includes a sensor device 50 arranged to sense at leastone position of the blocking arrangement 16. The sensor device 50 isconnected to a control unit (not shown) arranged to indicate a tissuepaper filling state of the dispenser 2 based on the sensed at least oneposition of the blocking arrangement 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the sensor device 50 and a portion ofthe dispenser 2 illustrated in FIG. 1. The movable lid 18 is illustratedin the second blocking position in FIG. 2. The sensor device 50 isarranged to sense at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16.In these embodiments, the at least one position of the blockingarrangement 16 sensed by the sensor device 50 relates to one position ofthe lever mechanism 20. The sensor device 50 is arranged in a vicinityof the first and second linkages 22, 24 more particularly in a vicinityof the second arms 28, 28′ of the two linkages 22, 24. The sensor device50 and the second arms 28, 28′ are arranged in an enclosure 52 separatefrom the first and second seats 6, 10 of the first and second rolls 8,11 of tissue paper. The enclosure 52 is attached to the housing 4 of thedispenser 2. In these embodiments, the sensor device 50 is separate fromthe first and second seats 6, 10 in the sense that the enclosure 52delimits the sensor device 50 from the housing 4 of the dispenser 2.

The sensor device 50 includes an optical sensor device. The opticalsensor device includes a light source 54 and a photosensitive element56. The second arm 28 of the second linkage 24 of the blockingarrangement 16 includes a light reflecting surface 58 arranged toreflect light from the light source 54 towards the photosensitiveelement 56. The light reflecting surface 58 may be constituted by anykind of surface having reflective properties, at least to some degree.

When the second arm 28 of the second linkage 24 is in a position inwhich the second arm 28 may engage with the movable lid 18 in the firstblocking position, the light from the light source 56 is reflected bylight reflecting surface 58 towards the photosensitive element 56. Thisis the situation illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. when there istissue paper on the second roll 11 in the second seat 10. The sensordevice 50 thus, senses at least one position of the blocking arrangement16.

The sensor device 50 is connected to a control unit 60. The control unit60 is arranged separate from the dispenser 2. The sensor device 50 isarranged to communicate with the control unit 60. For instance, thesensor device 50 may communicate wirelessly with the control unit 60. Inthese embodiments, the control unit 60 is provided in a data server 62.The data server 62 forms an example of a data collection systemconfigured to store data. The data server 62 may e.g. be arranged forcommunicating tissue paper filling states of the dispenser to anoperator. The control unit 60 may be a dedicated control unit providedseparately in the server, e.g. on a PCI card inserted in the data server62. Alternatively, the control unit 60 may be implemented as a computerprogram executed by a processor of the data server 62. However, thecontrol unit 60 may alternatively be provided in a separate device,which separate device in turn may communicate with the data server 62.

In any event, the control unit 60 is arranged to indicate a tissue paperfilling state of the dispenser 2. The tissue paper filling state isbased on the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement16. Accordingly, in the dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 thetissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2 may e.g. be that thesecond seat 10 of the dispenser 2 is not empty.

As mentioned above, when all tissue paper of the second roll 11 in thesecond seat 10 has been dispensed, the second arm 28 of the secondlinkage 24 moves away from the movable lid 18, i.e. upwardly in FIGS. 1and 2. The light reflecting surface 58 is thus moved away from thesensor device 50. No light, or light at a lower intensity, from thelight source 54 is now received by the photosensitive element 56. Thecontrol unit 60 now indicates a different tissue paper filling state ofthe dispenser 2, e.g. that the second seat 10 of the dispenser 2 isempty, or that one of the first and second seats 6, 10 is empty. Thus,in these embodiments the sensor device 50 is arranged to sense at leasttwo positions of the blocking arrangement 16, and the control unit 50 isarranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2based on the sensed at least two positions of the blocking arrangement16.

The sensor arrangement 50 may include a further light source and afurther photosensitive element. The second arm 28 of the first linkage22 may also be provided with a light reflecting surface. Thus, a tissuepaper filling state of the dispenser 2 may also indicate whether thefirst roll 8 in the first seat 6 includes tissue paper or is empty.Thus, also in this sense the sensor device 50 of these embodiments isarranged to sense at least two positions of the blocking arrangement 16,and the control unit 50 is arranged to indicate a tissue paper fillingstate of the dispenser 2 based on the sensed at least two positions ofthe blocking arrangement 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates a dispenser 2 for tissue paper according to anembodiment of the invention. The dispenser 2 includes a housing 4. Thehousing 4 includes a first seat 6 for a first stack of tissue paper anda second seat 10 for a second stack 70 of tissue paper. The first seat 6is empty, i.e. the first stack of tissue paper has been dispensed. Thehousing 4 is provided with a first dispensing position 12 and a seconddispensing position 14. A user may grasp tissue paper from the first andsecond dispensing positions 12, 14 for dispensing tissue paper.

Other than being adapted for dispensing of tissue paper from a stack oftissue paper, the dispenser 2 of these embodiments works in the samemanner as the dispenser 2 of the FIGS. 1 and 2 embodiments. To avoidrepetition, elements have been omitted in FIG. 3. The lever mechanism 20of the blocking arrangement 16 is adapted to bear against the first andsecond stacks of tissue paper. The first linkage 22 of the levermechanism 20 is illustrated in FIG. 3 in a position where the first arm26′ has followed the now empty first stack. The second arm 28′ has thusbeen slid upwardly in FIG. 3 and permitted the movable lid 18 to bemoved from the second blocking position to the first blocking position.Dispensing of the tissue paper may now be performed from the secondstack 70 at the second dispensing position 14.

For a further description of the dispenser 2 reference is made to thedescription relating to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a dispenser 2 for tissue paper according to anembodiment of the invention. The dispenser 2 includes a housing 4. Thehousing 4 includes a first seat 6 for a first roll 8 of tissue paper anda second seat 10 for a second roll 11 of tissue paper. The housing 4 isprovided with a first dispensing position 12 and a second dispensingposition 14. A user may grasp tissue paper from the first and seconddispensing positions 12, 14 for dispensing tissue paper.

The dispenser 2 includes a blocking arrangement 16 for selectivelyblocking either the first dispensing position 12 or the seconddispensing position 14. The blocking arrangement 16 includes a movablelid 18 arranged to be positioned in a first blocking position and in asecond blocking position. In the first blocking position, the movablelid 18 prevents access to the first dispensing position 12 and permitsaccess the second dispensing position 14. In the second blockingposition, the movable lid 18 prevents access to the second dispensingposition 14 and provides access to the first dispensing position 12. InFIG. 4, the movable lid 18 is illustrated in the second blockingposition. The movable lid 18 is slidably attached to the housing 4 forsliding between the first and second blocking positions. The blockingarrangement 16 is arranged to prevent the movable lid 18 from beingmoved from the second blocking position to the first blocking positionunless the first seat 6 is substantially empty. That is, whensubstantially all tissue paper has been dispensed from the first roll 8of tissue paper the movable lid 18 may be moved to the first blockingposition. Conversely, should the movable lid 18 be in the first blockingposition then the blocking arrangement 16 prevents the movable lid 18from being moved from the first blocking position to the second blockingposition unless the second seat 10 is substantially empty.

The blocking arrangement 16 includes a stud 80 adapted to bear againstthe first roll 8 of tissue paper or the second roll 11 of tissue paper.The stud 80 extends from the movable lid 18 in a directionperpendicularly to a sliding direction 33 of the movable lid 18. Thestud 80 has a length such that it will bear against the tissue paper ofthe first roll 8. When the first roll 8 of tissue paper has beendispensed, the stud 80 has a length such that it will pass the firstseat 6. Thus, the movable lid 18 is prevented from being moved from thesecond blocking position to the first blocking position until the firstroll 8 of tissue paper is substantially empty.

The stud 80 is attached to a first socket 82 provided at one end portionof the movable lid 18. The stud 80 may be removed from the first socket82 and may be placed in a second socket 83 provided at an opposite endportion of the movable lid 18. An operator may do so when the first seat6 has been replenished with a roll of tissue paper while dispensing oftissue paper takes place from the second roll 11. Thus, the movable lid18 will be prevented from being moved from the first blocking positionuntil the second seat 10 is empty. Accordingly, tissue paper from oneroll at a time will be dispensed from the dispenser 2.

The dispenser 2 includes a sensor device 50 arranged to sense at leastone position of the blocking arrangement 16. The sensor device 50 isconnected to a control unit 60 arranged to indicate a tissue paperfilling state of the dispenser 2 based on the sensed at least oneposition of the blocking arrangement 16. The control unit 60 is arrangedin the dispenser 2.

The sensor device 50 is arranged to sense at least one position of theblocking arrangement 16. In these embodiments, the at least one positionof the blocking arrangement 16 sensed by the sensor device 50 relates toone position of the movable lid 18. The sensor device 50 includes a HallEffect sensor 85 attached to the housing 4 and a first magnet 84 and asecond magnet 86 attached to opposite end portions of the movable lid18. The Hall Effect sensor 85 is arranged to sense the first or thesecond magnet 84, 86. Sensing of the first or the second magnet 84, 86allows the control unit 60 to indicate a paper tissue filling state ofthe dispenser 2 based on at least one position of the movable lid 18.

The sensor device 50 is connected to the control unit 60. The sensordevice 50 is arranged to communicate with the control unit 60. Thecontrol unit 60 is arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state ofthe dispenser 2. The control unit 60 is connected to two light sourcessuch as two LEDs 87 for indicating a tissue paper filling state of thedispenser 2. The control unit 60 may thus, be referred to as formingpart of a data collection system configured for communicating tissuepaper filling states of the dispenser 2 to an operator. A sensing unit88 is positioned in the housing 4 and arranged to acknowledgereplenishing of the dispenser 2 with tissue paper. The sensing unit 88is connected to the control unit 60. For instance, the sensing unit 88may sense the opening and/or closing of a replenishing lid (not shown)of the dispenser 2. It is assumed that the dispenser 2 is replenishedwhen the replenishing lid is opened. Thus, the control unit 60 may resetthe tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2 based on input fromthe sensing unit 88.

Purely provided as an example of indication of tissue paper fillingstates of the dispenser 2, the following example is provided:

-   -   Tissue paper is dispensed from the first roll 8 by users until        the first seat 6 is empty.    -   A user desiring to dispense tissue paper moves the movable lid        18 from the illustrated second blocking position to the first        blocking position in order to dispense tissue paper form the        second roll 11.    -   Thus, the sensor device 50 senses the first magnet 84 being        moved away from the Hall Effect sensor 85 and the second magnet        86 is moved to the Hall Effect sensor 85, which in turn is        sensed by the Hall effect sensor 85.    -   The control unit 60 thus lights one of the LEDs 87 to indicate        that one of the seats 6, 10 is empty.    -   When all tissue paper has been dispensed from the second roll        11, a user will move the movable lid 18 to the second blocking        position in an attempt to find tissue paper at the first        dispensing position 12.    -   Again, the sensor device 50 senses a magnet being moved away        from the Hall Effect sensor 85 and a magnet being moved to the        Hall Effect sensor 85.    -   In response thereto the control unit 60 lights also the other        LED 87 to indicate that both seats 6, 10 are empty.

An operator responsible for replenishing the dispenser 2 will see one ortwo lit LEDs 87 and in response thereto may replenish the dispenser 2,in one or both seats 6, 10, respectively. Upon opening the dispenser 2,the sensing unit 88 resets the control unit 60, which in turn shuts offthe one or two LEDs 87. The control unit 60 may communicate with aremotely located data server 62. The data server 62 is an example of adata collection system configured to store data.

The following may relate to all embodiments disclosed herein:

The control unit 60 may be arranged to indicate a first tissue paperfilling state indicating either an empty first seat 6 or an empty secondseat 10, and a second tissue paper filling state indicating empty firstand second seats 6, 10. Thus, in the first tissue paper filling state,it is recommended to replenish the dispenser 2 with tissue paper. In thesecond tissue paper filling state, it is required that the dispenser 2is replenished with tissue paper. The control unit 60 may be arranged toindicate a third tissue paper filling state indicating at leastpartially filled first and second seats 6, 10. Thus, it is verified thatno immediate replenishing of the dispenser 2 is required.

The data server 62 may be arranged for communicating tissue paperfilling states of the dispenser 2 to an operator. The tissue paperfilling states may be presented on a display screen of the data server62. In addition thereto, or alternatively, the data server 62 maypresent the tissue paper filling states of the dispenser 2 in a locationremote from the data server 62, e.g. via messages from the data server62 to a handheld device used by the operator.

The data server 62 has been described to be a remotely located dataserver 62, which encompasses a data server 62 located outside afacility, such as a restroom, wherein the dispenser 2 is located, aswell as a data server 62 located in a different building than whereinthe dispenser 2 is located. Alternatively, the data server 62 may belocally arranged, i.e. in the facility, such as a restroom, wherein thedispenser 2 is located. The data server 2 may thus form a locallyarranged information system for providing an operator with paper tissuefilling states of the dispenser 2.

Example embodiments described above may be combined as understood by aperson skilled in the art. For example, the FIG. 4 embodiments may beprovided with an optical sensor instead of the Hall Effect sensor.Although the invention has been described with reference to exampleembodiments, many different alterations, modifications and the like willbecome apparent for those skilled in the art. For example, the lightreflecting surface 58 may alternatively be positioned to reflect lightonto the photosensitive element 56 when a seat is empty. The second arms28, 28′ may be shaped such that light from the light source 54 does nothit the second arms 28, 28′ in one position thereof, i.e. in which oneposition light will not be reflected from the light reflecting surface58 to the photosensitive element 56. Parts of the lever mechanism 20 maybe provided on a rear side of the dispenser 2, e.g. the second arms 28,28′. Accordingly, also the enclosure 52 and the sensor device 50 may beprovided on the rear side of the dispenser 2. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the foregoing is illustrative of various exampleembodiments and that the invention is defined only the appended claims.

1. A dispenser for tissue paper comprising a housing, the housingcomprising: a first seat for a first roll or a first stack of tissuepaper; a second seat for a second roll or a second stack of tissuepaper; a first dispensing position, from which tissue paper on the firstroll or the first stack of tissue paper is graspable for dispensingthereof; a second dispensing position, from which tissue paper on thesecond roll or the second stack of tissue paper is graspable fordispensing thereof; a blocking arrangement for selectively blockingeither the first dispensing position or the second dispensing position;and a sensor device arranged to sense at least one position of theblocking arrangement, wherein the sensor device is connected to acontrol unit configured to indicate a tissue paper filling state of thedispenser based on the sensed at least one position of the blockingarrangement.
 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the blockingarrangement comprises a movable lid arranged to be positioned in a firstblocking position and in a second blocking position, wherein, in thefirst blocking position, the movable lid prevents access to the firstdispensing position and permits access to the second dispensingposition, and wherein, in the second blocking position, the movable lidprevents access to the second dispensing position and provides access tothe first dispensing position.
 3. The dispenser according to claim 2,wherein the blocking arrangement prevents the movable lid from beingmoved from the first blocking position to the second blocking positionunless the second seat is substantially empty.
 4. The dispenseraccording to claim 2, wherein the blocking arrangement prevents themovable lid from being moved from the second blocking position to thefirst blocking position unless the first seat is substantially empty. 5.The dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the blocking arrangementcomprises a lever mechanism adapted to bear against the first roll orfirst stack of tissue paper arranged in the first seat and against thesecond roll or second stack of tissue paper arranged in the first secondseat, and wherein the lever mechanism is configured to engage andrelease the movable lid.
 6. The dispenser according to claim 5, whereinthe lever mechanism comprises a first linkage arranged to bear againstthe first roll or the first stack of tissue paper and a second linkagearranged to bear against the second roll or the second stack of tissuepaper.
 7. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the at least oneposition of the blocking arrangement sensed by the sensor device relatesto one position of the lever mechanism.
 8. The dispenser according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one position of the blocking arrangementsensed by the sensor device relates to one position of the movable lid.9. The dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a sensing unitconfigured to acknowledge replenishing of the dispenser with tissuepaper.
 10. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sensor devicecomprises an optical sensor device.
 11. The dispenser according to claim10, wherein the optical sensor device comprises a light source and aphotosensitive element.
 12. The dispenser according to claim 11, whereinthe blocking arrangement comprises a light reflecting surface arrangedto reflect light from the light source towards the photosensitiveelement.
 13. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sensordevice and at least part of the blocking arrangement are arranged in anenclosure separate from the first and second seats.
 14. The dispenseraccording to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is configured to senseat least two positions of the blocking arrangement, and wherein thecontrol unit is configured to indicate a tissue paper filling state ofthe dispenser based on the sensed at least two positions of the blockingarrangement.
 15. The dispenser according to claim 14, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to indicate a first tissue paper fillingstate indicating either that the first seat is empty or that the secondseat is empty, and a second tissue paper filling state indicating thatboth the first and second seats are empty.
 16. The dispenser accordingto claim 15, wherein the control unit is configured to indicate a thirdtissue paper filling state indicating that the first and second seatsare at least partially filled.
 17. The dispenser according to claim 15,wherein the control unit is configured to indicate a fourth tissue paperfilling state indicating that the first and second seats are filled. 18.The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arrangedseparate from the dispenser and the sensor device is configured tocommunicate with the control unit.
 19. The dispenser according to claim1, wherein the control unit is arranged in the dispenser.
 20. Thedispenser according to claim 1, wherein the control unit communicateswith, or forms part of, a data collection system configured forcommunicating tissue paper filling states of the dispenser to anoperator.
 21. The dispenser according to claim 20, wherein the datacollection system is configured to store data for communicating tissuepaper filling states of the dispenser to an operator.